Award-winning Newry-born Director Cathy Brady’s debut film Wildfire, will be touring Northern Ireland in the coming months, as part of Film Hub NI’s Collective programme which brings local films to local places.
Wildfire is the story of two inseparable sisters Kelly and Lauren whose lives are shattered by the mysterious death of their mother in the fractious border town where they grew up. When Kelly, who has been missing, returns home, the intense bond with her sister is re-ignited and together they unearth their mother’s past, but uncovered secrets and resentments which have been buried deep threaten to overwhelm them.
Nora-Jane Noone and the late Nika McGuigan, co-star as the two sisters alongside Kate Dickie, Martin McCann and Helen Behan.
Cathy Brady recently won the prestigious BIFA Debut Screenwriter Award for Wildfire and also the IFTA for Best Director. She says: “I am absolutely delighted that audiences throughout Northern Ireland are getting the chance to see Wildfire as part of this Film Hub NI Tour. It feels like it’s a homecoming as the story is set here and I can’t wait to see how local audiences connect to these characters and their stories. The lead performances of Nika and Nora are remarkable and made to be seen on the big screen. We were all deeply shocked and saddened when Nika tragically died while we were post producing Wildfire. To have known Nika and be known by her is one of the greatest gifts I’ve had in my life.”
Sara Gunn-Smith, Marketing and Audiences Officer for Film Hub NI says: “Wildfire is a spectacular film which has received critical acclaim since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, with prestigious awards for both Cathy as screenwriter from the BIFA, and Nika from the IFTA posthumously for Best Actress. Given the impact Covid has had on cinemas in recent times it is wonderful that we can give Northern Ireland audiences the opportunity to view this amazing film now and celebrate our incredible local cast and crew. We’re hoping to have a few special guests at selected screenings.”
Nine community cinemas will be showing Wildfire as part of this FHNI Collective Tour which will run across Northern Ireland, starting in Newcastle on Saturday 22 January and finishing in Ballyclare on Saturday 26 March.
Developed and produced with funding from Northern Ireland Screen and filmed on location in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Wildfire is produced by David Collins for Samson Films, Charles Steel for Cowboy Films and Carlo Cresta-Dina for Tempesta Film and distributed by Modern Films.
Film Hub NI is part of the BFI Film Audience Network, a UK wide project to ensure that the greatest choice of film is available to diverse audiences across Northern Ireland. The initiative is supported through National Lottery funding, distributed by the British Film Institute.
The full list of FHNI Collective Tour dates and venues is below. For ticket information please visit: https://www.filmhubni.org/now-showing-tags/collective/
|
Venue |
Date |
| Newcastle Community Cinema | Sat 22nd January |
| Fermanagh Film Club | Wed 2nd February |
| Braid Film (Hilton, Templepatrick) | Thurs 10th February |
| Flowerfield Arts Centre (Portstewart) | Thurs 17th February |
| Ormeau Community Cinema (Belfast) | Thurs 17th February |
| Subterranean Community Cinema (Omagh) | Fri 25th February |
| Nerve Centre (Derry) | Fri 25th February |
| Roe Valley Arts Centre (Limavady) | Thurs 3rd March |
| Picture House (Ballyclare) | Sat 26th March |
